Control means for automatically operated doors



June 9, 1953 2,641,466

CONTROL MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED DOORS s. s. RQBY Filed March 17. 1950 awe/whom SHELDON d Roby Patented June 9, 1953 ooN'iRoL OPERATED 110.0,

Sheldon S.- Roby; Meriden, Conn assignor to The Stanley worm; New Britaini fionl'l'a: a hombres"- tionof-Gonnectici1t.-

The present 1 inventionv relates 1 generally to automatically operated doors and more particu larly to a novel door actuating me'chanism and including the controlmeans :there'forwh-ih pr'o' videsv features of safety and"convenience which are desirable in installations of automatically. operated doors It is a principal aim of the invention try-provide a door actuating mechanism and-control there. for which will eliminate the danger of' injuryzto persons carelessly or otherwise-positioned. in the path of the door. The benefitsr-of'suc'han ar rangement' are particularly advantageous for store installations and the like; where customers and children frequently congregate near the door opening-and may be, seriously injured by :the opening movement of the door if they are-not aware of the danger of their position, At the same time it is an aim of the invention to avoid having the door rendered inoperative merelybecause a person orobject is in -the path of the door, particularly wherev the person or object can move or be moved without inconvenience-.-

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism or-arrang'ement' ofthe type re-' ferred to above, which greatly enhances-the use-' fulnessof anautomaticdoor installationjfrom a safety standpoint but which at the same time wil'l not interfere with the-normal functioning otthe doorand-will permit the door to operate in the usual manner including operation at a-desi-red. rapid speed, except only in -the particular-case; i. e. when the l. situation -arises,- rendering: the safety feature necessary. 7

A furtherobject of the invention is; to providea door operating and control mechanism having the advantages referred to above, which, in-addi tion to its greater usefulness and desirability); is yet of simple construction so that-it may-be fab-- ricated and assembled from readily available materials and parts-with a minimum of difficulty and expense and at the same time will functionsatiS- fa'cto'rily over lon'g'periods'" of time and be foolproof in operation.

I Other objects will be in part obvious, and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter,

The invention accordingly consists in the fea tures of construction, combin'ation'of elin and arrangement of partswhichwill be ex'e'inplifled in the construction hereafter setforth; and the scope of the application or which'willbfe indicated in the appended claims.

Inthe' drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective v"'w sh'o' embodying the present invention-:1 and 2 1S efilii'g''d diagrammatic-view Show ing the electrical and power connections.

Rffrillg to" th-"'di"awing's,- thfe 1 is shown in Figl'l a Wall 0; having co'iivehtionaldoo'r open: ing I l. which is" nor-1112131 13 "closed by a swinging door la hinged as at 13,- The mechanism for opniI-iQh-hdcldin the (1001", asdescribed more partiolflallyfiliereiriaftl; is" contained in thhoiisf' ing l4, disposed horizontally-in the top 'of' the door opening; The control means for-the door actuating mechanism includes two mat switches l5 and i-E, disposed 011 the T1001 and extending outwardlyfroni opposite sides of the door open: mg. 'I-hear-rangement issuoh that a person wishing-to #pass throiiglrthe door o ening will first stepGon the mat-1B; which will cause the door --to -open} andwill proceed through" the door WayfS'teppingon matl5 which retains the door I generalr they conSistofcOntactor members (not showmfoiv estab-lishing' a. cur-rent path through the leadsfiprtqvided,thereto; I v

Refearingmoreparticularly to'Fig. 2 of the drawings;- the "mechanism illustrated for opening the door-comprises-a-piston rod 20; which is -piv-' otallynonnectedrat- 2t an arm 22, which ex tendsou -twardl-yfrom thedoor l2 adjacent the bin B. As 'wil'lgbe ai parent when the piston is moved longitudinally in'a lef-thand di"-' rectio n as}-viewed inw-Fig. 2;-thedoor will be pivoted in an,open-ing direction; closing or reverse -rnovement is imparted to the door by a: coil spring -.2 3-,; which is anchored at one end in any; convenient manner and; is" secured at 'the' Qtlier end to the pistonrod 20;

Thepiston rod 20 is actuate d by a; piston {not such-that when fluid under pres sure is admitted thgoTuglijthe inlet conduit 3|; the piston rod!!! is elieved-, -the piston rod 2i), isper nitted to under the influence of spring- 23.

sure rnotsnowm' through atwo-way valveflz and.

' way vane '33. E tending around. the y vmve sz' is a b 34" cont:'aIi'id1-11g' an adjustable bleeder valve 3 5l do itwarclly and then, when the fluid prcs As noted, the three-way valve 33 has two connecting conduits 36 and 31, one of which is connected to the source of fluid under pressure and the other of which exhausts to atmosphere. The operation of the valve 33 is to exhaust the conduit 3| to atmosphere when the valve is in one position, and to connect the conduit 3i to the source of fluid under pressure when the valve is in its second position, the second position bein referred to hereinafter as the on position. The valve is biased into the first positiondescribed, i. e. the position which connects the conduit 3| to exhaust and permits the door to close'under the influence of spring 23.

The valve 32 is normally biased into opened position so that there is provided a relatively free pathway between the conduit 35 and the threeway valve 33. However, when the Valve 32 is closed, the flow path must occur through the bypass 34 and adjustable bleeder valve 35. Bleeder valve 35 may be adjusted for any desired rate of flow.

. The valves 32 and 33 are adapted to be actuated respectively by solenoids 52 and 43. 1 When the solenoid 42 is energized, it operates to close the valve 32. When the solenoid 43 is energized, it operates to move valve 33 to the position'connecting the power cylinder 36 to the source of fluid under pressure.

The lines L1 and L2 represent any convenient source of electrical power, such as the ordinary household lighting circuit, if desired. One terminal of solenoid 43 is connected by lead 50 to line L1, while the other terminal of solenoid 43 is connected by lead 51 to the mat switch [6 which, in turn, is connected by lead 52 to the line L2. Accordingly, when the mat switch i6 is closed, such as by a person stepping on the mat IS, the solenoid 43 is connected across lines L1 and L2, causing the valve 33 to move to the on position, thereby opening the door.

One terminal of solenoid 42 is connected similarly by lead 53 to line L1, while the other terminal is. connected by leads 54 and 55 through a switch 56 to the mat switch 55. Mat switch I is connected. by lead 51 to power line L2. The switch 56 comprises two stationary contact arms 60 and BI and an intermediate movable contactor arm 62. The movable contactor arm 62 is biased so as to be in contact with the arm 6| and separated from the arm 65 when the door is open; However, means is provided to move the arm 62 into contact with arm 68 and to separate it from the contactor arm 6| when the door is closed and also during a predetermined portion of the initial opening movement of the door. For purposes of illustration, this predetermined portion of the initial opening movement of the door is represented in the drawing as the movement of the door through 45 degrees to the position shown in dash-and-dot lines. The means referred to includes a rod 63 adjustably supported in a clamp 64, which is mounted on the piston rod 20. The rod 63 is so disposed relative to the switch 55 as to engage contactor arm 62 and shift the same into contact with arm 66 at any time the door is closed, as shown in Fig. 2, or within 45 degrees of closed position. When the door I2 is opened more than 45 degrees rod 63 will be disengaged from contactor arm 62 to permit said arm to assume its biased position in switch 56, i. e., in contact with arm 6|. By adjustment of the clamp 54 and rod 63, as will be readily apparent, the switch 56 may be actuated at any desired degree of opening of the door.

The leads 54 and 55, previously mentioned, are connected to the switch arms 60 and 62, respectively. Accordingly, if the door is closed, or in any position between closed position and the predetermined position shown, for example, by dash-and-clot lines, the solenoid 42 will be energized ifany person or object is positioned on the mat switch [5. As previously mentioned, the energizing of solenoid 42 closes the valve 32, which greatly reduces the flow of fluid under pressure to the power cylinder 30. Accordingly, when this condition exists, the door will open only at a slow rate of speed. This rate of speed may be adjusted by regulating the bleeder valve 35 and generally will be such that no injury will result to any person or object standing in the path of the door, and yet force will be applied by the door which generally will be suificient to move the person or object out of the path of the door, thereby permitting the door to open to the full extent.

It will be noted that switch arm 6! is connected by leads 58 and 5! to the solenoid 43. Accordingly, when the door has opened sufficinetly to close the switch 56 through arms 6i and 62, the solenoid 43 will be under the control of both the floor switches 15 and 16 which are now connected in parallel, the mat I5 being no longer connected for energizing solenoid 42. In the normal operation of a door, a person entering through the doorway will step from the mat [6 to the mat l5 at a time when the door has already reached the dash-and-dot line position. Accordingly, the door will-usually open at its rated speed in one continuous movement to the full open position shown in dash line, due to the continued actuation of the solenoid 43. In the unlikely event that a person should step from mat 16 to mat l5 before the door has reached the dash-and-dot position, the door opening movement will be retarded only until the door reaches the dash-anddot position, following which the door will again open at its normal rate of speed to the full open position shown in dash lines.

When the arrangement shown in the drawings and as above described, it has been found that an automatically operated door may be installed in many locations where the use of automatically operated doors has been avoided heretofore because of the risk of injury. As pre viously described, the presence of any person or object on the mat l5 when the operation of the door is initiated by someone stepping on mat I6 will immediately prevent the door from opening at a rapid rate of speed. However, the door will open at a reduced rate of speed and, by moving against the obstruction in a safe manner and at a safe rate of speed, will cause the obstruction to move, or be moved, out of obstructing position, whereupon the door will operate in the usual manner. In the event that no person or object is positioned on the mat l 6, the door functions in exactly the manner as though the safety feature were not present.

As previously mentioned, the amount of opening movement of the door necessary to trip the switch 56 can be readily regulated, as can be the retarded speed of the door. As a result, the operation of the door can be modified to meet the exact requirements of any particular installation. Furthermore, because of the safety feature provided by the arrangement described above, it is possible, if desired, to operate the door at a greater rate of speed than that which would normally be used if the danger of injury were present. It will be noted that, inasmuch as the safety feature is eiiective whenza personig positioned anywhere on the mat I 5r'andrnotonly whenflpo s'iti'one'd' directly in the: path of opening move-- ment of the door, an additional margin of safety is provided which is important in the event that anyone is moving in the direction of the door at the same time that a person is approaching the mat iii.

The arrangement is of simple construction and economical to fabricate and assemble, and provides a foolproof and dependable operation at low cost under all conditions of use without the need for frequent repair or replacement, and, in general, has all the advantages of "a conventional arrangement of thetype not possessing-the safety features of the present invention.

As many changes could .be made in the'ab'ove construction and many apparently widely dilferent'embodiments ofthis invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the a'cc'o'rnpanying drawin'gs shall be interpreted as illustrative and'not i'n'a limiting sense,

It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim as my invention:

1. Control means'for 'a door having a fluid operated door actuator comprising means including a first valve for admitting'fiuid under pressure to the door actuator, means includinga second valve 0 for retarding the flow of fluid" to the door actuator, first and second electrical means for actuating the first and second valve, respectivelmfirst switch means 'actuatable at one side of the door,

second switch means 'actuatable at the opposite side of the door, means for energizing the first electrical means including a first electrical circuit going through the first switch means, means including a second electrical circuit for energizing the second electrical means, and a two-way switch responsive to position of the door connected to the said electrical circuits and to the second switch means for connecting the second switch means in the second electrical circuit when the door is closed and for connecting the second switch means in parallel with first switch means when the door has been opened a predetermined amount.

2. Control means for a door having a fluid operated door actuator comprising means for admitting fluid under pressure to the door actuator and including a pair of valves in series, first and second electrically operated means for actuating the valves, respectively, first switch means actuatable at one side of the door, second switch means actuatable at the opposite side of the door, means for energizing the first electrically operated means including a first electrical circuit containing said first switch means, a two-way switch responsive to position of the door connected to the first electrical circuit and the second switch means for placing the second switch means in parallel with the first switch means when the door has been opened a predetermined amount, and a second electrical circuit for energizing the second electrically operated means, said second electrical circuit being connectible by said twoway switch to the second switch means when the door is closed.

3. Control means for a door having a fluid operated door actuator comprising means including 6, azfirst' valve for admitting fluid" underpressure to the door actuator, means including a second valve for retarding the-flow of fluid'to the: door actuator, first andsecond electrical means for actuating the first and second valve, respectively, first switch means actuatable at one side of the door, second switch means actuatable at the opposits side of the door, said first and second switch means being connected at one terminal to apower'line, a switch having two fixed contacts and a movable contact movable selectively into contact with the fixed contacts responsive to position of the door, said movable contact being connected to the second switch means, electrically operated means for actuating the first valve connected'at one terminal to a second power line and at its second terminal to the first switch means and to one of said fixed contacts, and electrically operated means for actuating the second valve connected atone terminal to said second power line and at its second terminal to the other of said fixed contacts.

Control means for a door having a fluid operated door actuator comprising means for controlling the fiow of fiuid to the door actuator including a conduit to the actuator, a three-way valve normally connecting the conduit to exhaust and movable to a second position for connecting the conduit to alsource of fluid under pressure, a normally open two-way valve for terminating the flow of fluid and a restricted lay-pass around the two-way valve, first electrically operated means operable when energized to position" the three-way valve in said second position, second electrically operated means operable when energized to hold the two-way valvein closed posi tion, first switch means actuatable at one side of the door, second switch means actuatable at the opposite side of the door, a two-way switch mounted for operation by the door, means for energizing the first electrically operated means comprising a first circuit including the first switch means, additional means operable for energizing the first electrically operated means when the door has been opened a predetermined amount comprising a second circuit including the twoway switch and the second switch means, and means operable for energizing the second electrically operated means when the door is not opened said predetermined amount comprising a third circuit including the two-way switch and the second switch means.

5. Control means for an automatically operated door comprising a door actuator connected to the door for actuating said door from a closed to open position, means including a first electrical circuit for controlling said actuator to cause said door to be moved by said actuator toward open position, a first switch disposed at one side of the door in serial relation with said first circuit for opening and closing same, means including a second electrical circuit for causing said actuator to move said door at a reduced speed, a second switch disposed at the opposite side of the door, a selector switch responsive to the position of the door connected to the said electrical circuits and to the second switch for connecting said second switch in said second electrical circuit to cause said door to be moved at said reduced speed when both said first and second switches are closed, and for disconnecting said second switch from said second circuit and, instead, connecting said second switch in parallel with the first switch after the door has opened a predetermined amount to thereby cause said door to be moved at its normal speed when either of said first and second switches remain closed.

6. Control means for an automatically operated door comprising a door actuator connected to the door for actuating said door from a closed to open position, means including a first electrical circuit for controlling said actuator to cause said door to be moved by said actuator toward open position, a first switch disposed at one side of the door in serial relation with said first circuit for opening and closing same, means including a second electrical circuit for causing said actuator to move said door at a reduced speed, a second switch disposed at the opposite side of the door, a selector switch connected to said circuits and said second switch havizw a first position for connecting the second switch in said second electrical circuit to thereby cause said door to be moved at said reduced speed when both said first and second switches are closed and having a second position for disconnecting said second switch from said second circuit and, instead, connecting said second switch in parallel with the first switch after the door has opened a predetermined amount to thereby cause said door to be moved at its normal speed when either of said first and second switches remain closed.

7. Control means for an automatically operated door comprising first a switch actuable at one side of the door, a second switch actuable at the opposite side of the door, a door actuator connected to the door for actuating said door from a closed to open position, first control means for said actuator, means for energizing said first control means including a first electrical circuit through said first switch, second control means for retarding opening movement of the door, means for energizing the second control means including a second electrical circuit, and a two-way selector switch responsive to the position of the door connected to the second switch and the first and second electrical circuits arranged to connect the second switch in the second electrical circuit when the door is closed, and to disconnect said second switch from said second circuit and, instead, connect said second switch in parallel with the first switch in the first electrical circuit when the door has been opened a predetermined amount.

8. Control means for an automatically operated door comprising a first switch of the fioor mat type for disposition at one side of the door, a second switch of the floor mat type for disposition at the opposite side of the door, a door actuator connected to the door for actuating said door from a closed to open position, first control means for said actuator, second control means for retarding said actuator, means for energizing said first control means including a normally open first circuit containing the first and second switches in parallel, means for energizing the retarding means including a normally open second circuit, and a selector switch connected to the first and second circuits and to the second switch, said selector switch being operated by the door for disconnecting the second switch from the first circuit and connecting it to the second circuit except when the door has been opened a predetermined amount.

SHELDON S. ROBY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,009,081 Conklin et al July 23, 1935 2,173,455 Roby Sept. 19, 1939 2,227,483 Bendz Jan. 7, 1941 2,283,577 Roby May 19, 1942 2,536,489 Burke Jan. 2, 1951 2,564,067 Karp Aug. 14, 1951 

